Hybrid Tea rose plant named `Meicobuis`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant is provided that is a mutation of the `Meicofum` variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,997) of unknown causation. Unlike the parent the new variety forms large double blossoms that are an attractive Brick Red on both surfaces. The blossoms are long lasting when cut and placed in a vase. The growth habit is erect. Dense and semi-glossy foliage is formed. The new variety is particularly well suited for cut flower production under greenhouse growing conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant was discovered during 1994 atLe Cannet des Maures, Var, France while growing among plants of the`Meicofum` variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,997). The new variety of thepresent invention is believed to be a mutation of the `Meicofum` varietyof unknown causation. The new variety was selected and preservedprimarily because of its distinctive blossom coloration that differedfrom that of the parent `Meicofum` variety. More specifically, the`Meicofum` parent exhibits bicolored blossoms that are reddish orange onthe upper surface and creamy yellow on the under surface, and theblossom coloration of the new variety is substantially the same on bothsurfaces. Had the single plant of the new variety not been discoveredand preserved it would have been lost to mankind.

It was found that the new variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant of thepresent invention possesses the following combination ofcharacteristics:

(a) forms in abundance attractive long lasting large double blossomsthat are Brick Red on both surfaces,

(b) exhibits an erect growth habit,

(c) forms dense semi-glossy foliage, and

(d) is particularly well suited for cut flower production undergreenhouse growing conditions.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry andcan be used to advantage during the commercial production of cutflowers.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in Franceby a number of routes, including budding, grafting, and cuttage. Asexualpropagation by the above-mentioned techniques in France has shown thatthe characteristics of the new variety are stable and are strictlytransmissible by such asexual propagation from one generation toanother.

The new variety has been named the `Meicobus` variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same, in a color illustration of this character,typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. The rose plantsof the new variety were two years of age and were observed duringNovember while budded on Rosa indicia understock and growing indoors atLe Cannet des Maures, Var, France. Dimensions in centimeters areindicated at the bottom of the photograph.

FIG. 1--illustrates a specimen of a young shoot;

FIG. 2--illustrates a specimen of a floral bud before the opening of thesepals;

FIG. 3--illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thesepals;

FIG. 4--illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thepetals;

FIG. 5--illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of opening;

FIG. 6--illustrates a specimen of an open flower--plan view--obverse;

FIG. 7--illustrates a specimen of an open flower--plan view--reverse;

FIG. 8--illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower--planview--obverse;

FIG. 9--illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower--planview--reverse;

FIG. 10--illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the stamens and pistils;

FIG. 11--illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the pistils (stamens removed);

FIG. 12--illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem;

FIG. 13--illustrates a specimen of a leaf with three leaflets--planview--upper surface; and

FIG. 14--illustrates a specimen of a leaf with five leaflets--planview--under surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). The description is based onthe observation of two year-old plants during November while budded onRosa indica understock and growing indoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var,France. The coloration in common terms precedes reference to the chartin some instances.

Class: Hybrid Tea.

Plant:

Height.--When pruned to a height of 0.85 cm., floral stems having alength of approximately 50 to 70 cm. commonly are produced at the end ofthe growing season.

Habit.--Erect.

Branches:

Color.--Young stems: light green, Green Group 139C, and lightly suffusedwith reddish brown. Adult wood: medium green, Green Group 137D.

Thorns.--Size: medium. Quantity: moderately numerous. Color:greenish-red on young stems and greenish (near Yellow-Green Group 144D)changing to tan on adult wood.

Leaves:

Stipules.--Adnate, pectinate, narrow and linear.

Petioles.--Upper surface: striped reddish brown on young foliage, andmedium green (near Green Group 137C) on adult foliage. Under surface:light green and rarely bear some small thorns.

Leaflets.--Number: 3, 5 (most often), and 7. Shape: oval. Serration:simple and regular (as illustrated). Texture: consistent. Generalappearance: dense and semi-glossy. Color (young foliage): upper surface:bronze green, Yellow-Green Group 146A, and suffused with reddish brown.under surface: light Greyed-Green Group 191B, and suffused with reddishbrown. Color (adult foliage): upper surface: medium green, Green Group137A. under surface: light green, Green Group 138B.

Inflorescence:

Number of flowers.--Usually one per stem.

Peduncle.--Light green (near Green Group 142B), smooth, and the lengthis approximately 12 to 13 cm. on average.

Sepals.--Upper surface: tomentose, and greenish (near Green Group 143C)in coloration. Under surface: light green commonly with a few smallextensions.

Buds.--Shape: conical. Length: approximately 4 cm. on average. Size:medium. Color upon opening: upper surface: near Orange Brick,Greyed-Orange Group 171B and Greyed-Orange Group 169B. under surface:near Orange Brick, Greyed-Orange Group 171B and Greyed-Orange Group169B.

Flower.--Shape: cupped with a high center. Diameter: approximately 12 to14 cm. on average. Color (when opening begins): upper surface: OrangeRed, Orange Red Group 34B. under surface: Orange Red, Orange Red Group34C. Color (when blooming): upper surface: near Brick Red, Orange-RedGroup 35B and Orange-Red Group 34C. under surface: Brick Red, Orange-RedGroup 35B. Color (at end of opening): upper surface: Brick Red,Orange-Red Group 35B. under surface: Brick Red, Orange-Red Group 35B.Fragrance: none. Lasting quality: long (e.g., approximately 8 days onaverage) when cut and placed in a vase. Petal shape: rounded withreflexed edges (as illustrated). Petal number: approximately 22 to 25 onaverage. Stamen number: approximately 82 to 90 on average. Anthers: nearYellow Group 4B in coloration. Filaments: Canary Yellow in coloration.Pistil number: approximately 75 to 80 on average. Stigmas: near YellowGroup 9A in coloration. Styles: Canary Yellow (near Yellow Group 4D) incoloration. Receptacle: light green (near Green Group 142B), smooth, andin longitudinal section in the shape of a funnel.

Development:

Vegetation.--Moderately strong.

Blooming.--Abundant. When grown under greenhouse conditionsapproximately 190 bossoms commonly are formed per square meter per year.

Resistance to diseases and pests.--Good with respect to downy mildew andthrips, and fair with respect to powderly mildew, botrytis, aphids andred spider mites.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant characterized by the following combination of characteristics:(a) forms in abundance attractive long lasting large double blossoms that are Brick Red on both surfaces, (b) exhibits an erect growth habit, (c) forms dense semi-glossy foliage, and (d) is particularly well suited for cut flower production under greenhouse growing conditions;substantially as herein shown and described. 